Strain sensing in polymer/carbon nanotube composites by electrical resistance measurement. (January 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Georgousis, G.; Pandis, C.; Kalamiotis, A.; Georgiopoulos, P.; Kyritsis, A.; Kontou, E.; Pissis, P.; Micusik, M.; Czanikova, K.; Kulicek, J.; Omastova, M.
• Is Part Of: Composites. Volume 68(2015)
• Page Start: 162
• Page End: 169
• Publication Date: 2015-01
• Subjects: A. Polymer–matrix composites (PMCs) -- D. Non-destructive testing; Composite materials -- Periodicals; Materials science -- Periodicals; Composite materials; Periodicals; Electronic journals; 620.118
• DOI: 10.1016/j.compositesb.2014.08.027
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1359-8368

Abstract

Abstract: In this work multiwall carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) dispersed in a polymer matrix have been used for strain sensing of the resulting nanocomposite under tensile loading. This was achieved by measuring the relative electrical resistance change (Δ R / R 0 ) in conductive polyvinylidenefluoride (PVDF)/MWCNTs nanocomposites prepared by melt-mixing with varying filler content from 0.5 wt.% to 8 wt.%. Two main parameters were systematically studied. The PVDF/MWCNTs mixing procedure that results in a successful MWCNTs dispersion, and the effect of MWCNTs content on material's sensing behaviour. The samples were subjected to tensile loading and the longitudinal strain was monitored together with the longitudinal electrical resistance. The results showed that MWCNTs dispersed in insulating PVDF matrix have the potential to be used as a sensitive network to monitor the strain levels in polymer/carbon nanotube nanocomposites as the deformation level of each sample was being reflected by the resistance changes.